Fall 2017 Extraordinary Firearms Auction Grosses Over $15.1 Million

Auction: October 31, November 1 & 2, 2017: 10am

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*RARE SIG-NEUHAUSEN MONDRAGON MODEL 1908 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE.

SN 2937. Cal. 7mm Mauser. Standard military issue rifle with 25″ tapered rnd bbl. Square based barleycorn front sight and 2000 M ladder rear sight. Bottom of bbl has a bayonet lug. The bolt operating handle has an unusual catch that allows the shooter to select semi-auto or manual action on the bolt. Bottom of rifle is fitted with, what appears to be, a 10 rnd box magazine. Left side of magazine box has electric pencil number that appears to be a property number. Rifle SN is 2924 and the bolt assembly is all numbered 2937. Mounted in uncheckered light European walnut stock with upper hand guard and a middle band with sling loops on the buttstock and middle band. Accompanied by copy of a letter on SIG SWISS INDUSTRIAL COMPANY letterhead dated November 2, 1979 which gives a brief history of the Mondragon rifle. It states in effect that in 1902 they were licensed by the Mexican government to build 4, 000 of these rifles in Cal. 7mm. However, prior to delivery, the dictator Porfirio Diaz was overthrown and only a few of the rifles were delivered. The majority were stored until 1914, when they were purchased by the German Air Force. Given that this rifle has neither Mexican nor German markings, one could assume that it is one of the rifles sold to Germany. The Mexican issued pieces were all marked with the Crest of Mexico while the German items were not marked at all. Mismatched parts on arms brought to the U.S. after WW I & WW II are quite common. A G.I. would find a firearm he wanted to bring home with him and if it was missing a bolt or other part he would simply replace the missing item with one that fit from a pile of like parts, without paying attention to matching numbers. It was common practice that when a German Soldier was surrendering he would remove the bolt or breechblock from his weapon and discard it, thereby rendering it useless. CONDITION: Fine, mismatched as noted. Metal parts all retain about 97-98% strong orig blue showing wear on the magazine base plate and light sharp edge wear elsewhere. Stock has a crack at the tip, otherwise the wood is sound and shows a coating of applied varnish. Recoil spring is missing, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. 52750-2 JRL (15,000-20,000) C&R – Lot 2000

*MAUSER 98K HIGH TURRET SNIPER, WITH DOW+ SCOPE.

SN 6012. Cal. 7.92 mm. This is a nice representation of a WWII German high turret sniper rifle that was manufactured by the Mauser factory with matching rings and a late war dow+ sniper scope. The turret mount rifles are amongst the most desirable of the K98 rifles, in service from their introduction in 1939 to the end of the war. The rifle is a standard mid-late war K98. The left side of the receiver ring is marked with the SN flanked by the firing proof and an “Eagle 135”. Further rearward is “Mod. 98”. The top of the receiver ring is covered by the front turret, silver soldered and screwed in place. On the right side of the receiver, just below the turret, is a single “Eagle 135” Waffenamt. The gun has a correct barrel, marked in front of the receiver with firing proof, code, and “Eagle/135”. Its front sight is mounted on a short serrated ramp and covered by a hood; tangent rear sight graduated to 2,000 meters. Fitted to the receiver is a correct mid-war, matching bolt with the bolt rib on the side and a matching milled safety. The barrel band is stamped as is the matching forend cap. Complete with cleaning rod. The trigger guard and floorplate are milled and matching, the trigger guard extension marked with an “Eagle/135”. Late war laminated stock and handguard with cupped, smooth buttplate numbered 11443/14. The right side of the buttstock is marked with a “eagle / WaA135” proof. The rifle is fitted with a beautiful set of reproduction mounts and rings that are now matched to the receiver. The back of the front turret has an acceptance marking; the rear turret marked on the left “Eagle/135”. The Czech-made dow+ scope, numbered “8129”, has an elevation knob allowing adjustment increments from 1 to 12. CONDITION: Near excellent, all original Mauser 98k, modified to a high turret sniper configuration using reproduction and now matching mount and a dow+ scope. Excellent overall with 95-97% of the original blue finish on the rifle, with wear on the edges and high spots with some minor wear on the bolt from cycling the action and the barrel bands. The trigger guard and floorplate retain much of their original finish as does the bolt assembly. The stock and handguard are both in near excellent condition with minor handling marks, and light pressure dents from actual use, both slightly darkened from use but not sanded. Excellent reproduction mounts aged to match the receiver and scope. The scope is in very good condition, whose blue is consistent with the rest of the rifle. Optics are hazy. Reticle adjustments work properly. A beautifully configured high turret sniper, fractionally valued compared to an original. 52527-8 (6,000-9,000) C&R – Lot 2001

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE MAUSER MODEL 1878 ZIGZAG SINGLE ACTION CARBINE.

SN 51. Cal. 10.6mm Rimmed. Blue finish with 18-5/8″ oct to rnd bbl, European style ramp front sight with matted top and 2-leaf rear sight in top flat at the receiver. Top flat of bbl is marked “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBURNDORF A/NECKAR”. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain walnut stock and checkered horn buttplate embossed with the Mauser logo. Bottom of stock & bbl have factory sling loops. Left side of frame has a serrated thumb lever which locks the cylinder, functioning as a safety. Right side of the recoil shield has a loading gate since this is a very rare example of the early solid frame Zig-Zag action of which only about 100 examples were ever produced (the more common later pistols have a top break action for loading/unloading). The cylinder pin is spring loaded with a knurled end center pin that when removed is the empty case ejector pin for the cylinder. Cylinder is very unusual with Z-shaped grooves around outer diameter which are, in fact, rotating grooves for the cylinder. Cylinder rests on a pin which is in a groove and when the hammer is cocked it advances the cylinder to the next chamber for firing. All visible parts are matching numbered. No disassembly was effected to check for additional matching parts. This carbine is consecutively numbered to SN 50, located in the Oburndorf Germany City Museum Collection. While Zig-Zag revolvers are occasionally encountered in the U.S., carbines are pretty much unknown. This is an extraordinarily rare find, unlikely to be encountered again any time soon. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl retains 60-70% orig blue with the balance a mottled silver-brown patina. Frame retains 60-70% strong orig blue with cleaned areas on both bottom sides. Hammer retains bright case colors turning silver on top edge. Cylinder is mostly a blue-grey patina. Stock is sound with a very few, very light nicks and scratches and retains about 98% orig finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with fine pitting. 52750-1 JRL (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2003

SN 3939. Cal. .455. Standard configuration Webley-Fosbery M1902 with 6″ barrel having fixed front and rear sights. Top of rib marked “P. Webley and Son. London and Birmingham” with left side of top strap “WEBLEY-FOSBERY.” Left side of frame with winged “W&S” bullet adjacent to the caliber and powder reference “.455 CORDITE.” The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number whose last three digits are repeated under the barrel lug and on the back of the cylinder. Usual British proofing on the left side of the barrel, over each of the chambers, and the right side of the frame. Fitted with revarnished checkered wood panels. Rotatable lanyard ring present. Prideau speed-loader proofed and dated 1919. Complete in dark mahogany case, recent production, lid with disk and brass reinforcements, French-fitted for revolver, ammunition, and accessories. Contains wood block with twelve rounds of round-nose ammunition and red/yellow cardboard box of Kynoch .455 revolver cartridges in a plastic seal. Two chrome plated keys. CONDITION: Beautiful period restoration retaining most finish with early toned fading as one might expect of a revolver over 100 years old. Grips in comparable condition. Mirror bright bore. Perfect manual mechanics. Excellent case, with minor handling marks, and components. One of the most charismatic and interesting revolvers extent, production of all variations limited to about 5,000 examples, especially impressive when cased with accessories. 52288-1 (15,000-25,000) C&R – Lot 2004

EXCEPTIONALLY FINE 1893 BORCHARDT SERIAL NUMBER 463 CASED WITH FOUR MATCHING MAGAZINES AND ALL ACCESSORIES.

SN 463. Cal. 7.63. 7-1/2″ bbl. Deep rust-blued finish overall with a combination of straw and nitre-blue appointments. 2-pc finely checkered walnut grips with detachable shoulder stock with cheekrest, case including an unheard of four matching magazines, sling, holster, maintenance tools and barring block. This early Loewe Berlin manufactured pistol is numbered “463” on the bottom rear of magazine well, as well on the stock attaching iron, trigger, bolt toggle and on the bases of all four wood bottomed magazines. The SN is found as well on the board shoulder stock and cheekrest. Crown U and Crown B proofs are found on both bbl and receiver. System Borchardt patent is found on right side of receiver as well as Waffenfabrik Loewe Berlin on chamber. Shoulder stock has manufacturer’s mark of “GESETZLICH GESCHUTZT” with matching manufacturer’s mark on barring block. Fitted black leather case with nickel furniture is green velvet lined and houses the wiping rod, screwdriver, takedown punches, leather sling, grease container, solvent bottle and oiler. Leather holster is still strapped appropriately to board stock with strapping and buckle intact. CONDITION: Very fine overall with most rich finishes remaining, with slight muzzle wear and minor finish loss at connecting points from attaching shoulder stock. Nitre-blue has somewhat flaked on toggle cover plates. 2-pc checkered grips are spectacular with most orig varnish remaining. Straw finish on sear bar is still vivid while nitre finish on trigger, sear spring, screws and extractor remain very bright with over 70% nitre remaining. Magazines retain nearly all their fine nickel finish with only miniscule staining and loss on one magazine bottom. Shoulder stock is solid and complete with most of its varnished finish remaining, however, somewhat dulling. Several areas of bruising and abrasions exist, most prominently in the tensioning lug area and one screw is slightly fouled from the use of an improper screwdriver. Cheekrest is equally fine with one minor abraded area on rear. Leather holster, while being supple, all stitching has deteriorated and leather is somewhat alligatored. Shoulder sling exists as an example only, as the leather is well over 100 years old. is intact but would not retain strength enough to be usable. Tools and appendages are all excellent, showing minor storage and handling marks only. Barring block is exceptional. Leather travel case is quite fine with exterior having suffered slight distress on corners and soiling of green felt inside. All partitions are intact. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Mechanics are crisp. A more complete or finer example would not easily be found. 52700-14 TDW (35,000-45,000) – Lot 2005

SN 1635. Cal. 7.65. 7-1/2″ bbl. High polish blue finish overall with 2-pc fine checkered walnut grips. Crown / B, Crown / G, and Crown / U proofs found on bbl and receiver. Marked “System Borchardt. Patent. Deutsche Waffen-Und Munitionsfabriken. Berlin”. Borchardt board type shoulder stock with iron matching number manufacturers mark “GESETZLICH GESCHUTZT” marked on bottom of stock near toe. Detachable cheek rest, is numbers matching as well. Leather holster with retaining straps appears correct and as typical is not marked. CONDITION: Very fine overall, bright bore with good rifling, and crisp mechanics. Most rust blue finish remaining with minor muzzle wear and a minor area of staining on left side of bbl, finish loss on receiver is at leading edges of trigger guard, sear housing, bottom of mag well and charging handle. Nitre blue spring tabs at toggle linkage retain approximately 25% of their vivid color with balance turning somewhat straw to bright. minor finish loss is evident at stock attaching lug and is evident only at points of contact from stock iron. Checkered wood grips are very fine with slight finish loss from age with most varnish remaining and checkering sharp. Board stock very fine condition, better than average with most varnish remaining and several small areas of bruising on left side and top comb, most blue is remaining on stock iron. Nitre blue screws are very fine, retaining most color and are not fouled. Leather holster is quite supple with stitching intact, however, is rather oil laden. Leather strapping have lost most of their chromed finish but are still viable and supple. Stock numbers and makers markings are vivid and distinct as is the matching number mag markings that retains most of its nickel finish. This is a very nice example of a DWM manufactured 1893 Borchardt pistol complete with its accessories. 52710-1 TDW (12,500-17,500) – Lot 2006

SN 380. Cal. 7.63mm. 7-1/2″ bbl. Frosted blue finish overall with 2-pc checkered walnut grips and numbers matching wood based magazine and buttstock. Borchardt leather holster with retaining straps attached to board stock and included is its hanging strap and magazine pouch holding one additional matching wood based magazine. Marked “SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT.” on upper side of right receiver. Proofed Crown over B and Crown over U on bbl, receiver and toggle. Chamber crest marked “WAFFENFABRIK LOEWE BERLIN”. SN found on bottom of grip frame, trigger, toggle, stock lug and board stock. Detachable cheekrest is numbered to a slightly earlier carbine. Numbers matching stock is maker’s marked “GESETZUCH GESCHUTZT”. CONDITION: Good overall, with most blue finish having turned somewhat plum. Traces of nitre-blue evident on trigger and on protected areas. Bore heavily frosted with visible rifling. Mechanics are functional. Stock has numerous stains, blemishes and period minor scratches. Grips slightly worn and slightly oil-soaked, but solid and complete. Leather holster is intact but is basically a very supple relic, as is to be expected after being 110 years old. Magazine pouch is supple with good stitching. Both magazines retain most of their nickel finish and good solid numbers matching wood bases. Hanging strap is intact but not serviceable due to age. 52001-4 TDW (8,500-12,500) – Lot 2007

SCARCE LOEWE BORCHARDT M1893.

SN 687. Cal. 30 Borchardt. Attractive Loewe Borchardt, one of just over 1000 examples, with 7.5″ barrel having a pinned front sight and leaf adjustable rear sight. Chamber marked “WAFFENFABRIK/LOEWE/BERLIN.” Left side of receiver and middle toggle link are BU proofed; right side of receiver “SYSTEM BORCHARDT PATENT.” Middle toggle link marked “D.R.P./No75837.” The pistol is matched with the full serial number under barrel, left side of trigger, on toggle link, on frame lug, base of frame and on each of the grips. Original magazine numbered “617”. CONDITION: Excellent, refurbished rust blue with at least 99% coverage, that was equally applied to the trigger, rear sight, safety and each of the flat springs over the main spring housing. Strawed parts and the fire blued anti-bounce arm have been enhanced and grips recheckered. VG magazine with well-marked, solid plug. Dull bore with shallow rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. A nice-looking gun that can be purchased for just a fraction of the cost of an original. 52527-18 LMA (6,500-9,500) – Lot 2008

SN 603019. Cal. 7.63mmM Postwar Mauser Banner Bolo with 4″ bbl having fixed front sight and slip-in 50-1000 rear sight. Short extractor and two-lug firing pin. Chamber with usual address. Crown/U on left receiver flat. Full SN on left side of bbl extension. Usual two-line address on right side of frame. Wonderfully detailed floral scroll embellishment, deeply engraved with panel highlights, that covers the bbl extension and most of the frame including the floorplate. Similar in pattern and coverage to the engraving on pistols #603004 (pictured on pg 203, System Mauser by John Breathed and Joseph Schroeder) and #601115 (pictured on pg 186, The Mauser Self-Loading Pistol by Belford and Dunlap), both classic references and well known to collectors of C96s. Complementary engraving, lavishly applied, over the crest of the bolt stop, on each side of the “New Safety” pattern hammer, and on each of the subframe lugs. As typical for these special order pistols, grips are finely checkered with MOP, synthetic ivory inlays and silver wire bordering, numbered to match. Major components rust blued. Fire blued extractor, bolt stop, firing pin, floorplate plunger and trigger. Salt blued rear sight assembly and safety. Polished, in-the-white lanyard ring. Detailed disassembly shows all normally numbered parts are matching. Complete with special selection, vibrantly figured burl wood stock, lid and body matched on their mating surfaces with “019”, having a rust blued hinge and a matching, salt blued lug, finely freckled under the finish. CONDITION: Over 98% bright original rust blue with only the most minute sharp edge wear in expected areas of contact. Negligible thinning of the gripstraps. Fire blued and salt blued small parts in comparable condition. Grips with slightly blunted checkering and minor staining. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. Excellent stock with a scattering of handling dings but no cracks. Comparable condition hinge and lug, whose appearance matches the pistol. Although several of the small parts (rear sight assembly, safety, stock lug) have been enhanced with a salt blue, their impact on this absolutely fantastic C96, factory engraved by a true master in a well-recognized pattern and serial range, with matching stock, is minimal. A real gem for the advanced collector! 52558-1 (35,000-65,000) C&R – Lot 2009

SN 21158. Cal. 7.63. 5-1/2″ bbl. Blue finish, walnut stock, walnut grips, Early Mauser Model 1896 “Flatside” Automatic pistol with leather case, holster-stock, ammunition cases and cleaning rod, The right side of the pistol is engraved in script “General J.H. Wilson / U,S,A,”. James H. Wilson was a famous Federal Civil War General whose military career spanned the 19th Century. A graduate of the West Point class of 1860. Wilson was a classmate of George Armstrong Custer. In 1864, Wilson was selected for a Division in Gen. Phillip Sheridan’s Cavalry corps, Army of the Potonac. In the west, Wilson transferred to the Union cavalry and eventually defeated the Confederate cavalry Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Wilson ended the Civil War as a brevet major-general Wilson resigned from the army in 1870. In 1898 he volunteered for the Spanish-American War, during the war he served as military governor of Puerto Rico and participated in the occupation of Cuba. In 1900, Wilson was the second in command of the American troops sent China to assist European and Japanese forces in suppression of the Boxer Rebellion. In recognition of his distinguished service, Wilson was promoted to Brigadier-General in the regular Army by a special act of Congress. In 1915, Wilson was advanced to Major-General in the regular Army: a rank he held twice as a volunteer (1865 and 1898). James H. Wilson died in 1925, the last survivor of the West Point Class of 1860 and one of the most respected Union Civil War General officers. This early pattern, “Flatside” pistol has a standard 5-1/2 inch bbl, rear sight with ten adjustment notches and walnut, 23 groove grips. The pistol features a “Large Ring” hammer and early style safety, The left side of the receiver has retailer markings (VON LENGERKE/& DETMOLD/NEW-YORK) in three lines, The top of the chamber is marked “WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N,” in three lines. A Crown / U commercial proof mark is stamped on the left side of the bbl below the SN. The pistol has a polished, rust blue finish. The extractor, rear sight slide, bolt stop, and safety have a niter blue finish. The black pebble grained leather display case is lined with chamois leather. A similar case is illustrated in Fig, 228 on page .188 of THE MAUSER SELF-LOADING PISTOL by Belford and Dunlap. The case has a double key latch. The interior has a filled compartment for the pistol and stock, the cleaning rod, and a spare parts container with a lid. ln addition, the case has an additional compartment for five individual pebble-grained black leather containers each holding two, ten-round stripper clips of 7,63 mm cartridges and a single container for one ten-round cartridge stripper. The case is complete with the original key. CONDITION: Extremely fine, retaining virtually all its rust blue finish on bbl, upper and lower receivers. Loss of finish is noted on grip straps and leading edge of mag faceplate. Well over 80% of its bright nitre blue finish remain on the early long narrow extractor and sight elevator slide and bolt lock. Hammer, bolt, sight, and trigger pack remain in their white finish with slight tarnish from use and storage. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. All visible numbers are matching including stock iron on shoulder stock. Grips retain most of their varnish finish, however are slightly soiled in the grasping grooves, screw and escutcheons are slightly tarnished and soiled. Left side of receiver has several small areas of distress and very light finish loss. Shoulder stock/holster is very fine with two small shrinkage cracks emanating from hinge. Hinge and stock iron have turned an even patina. Interior of case has slight soiling and several spots of staining from years of storage. An outstanding and most historic pistol carbine in fabulous condition and a treasure trove of history. 52700-18 TDW (30,000-50,000) C&R – Lot 2010

*EARLY FLATSIDE LARGE RING MAUSER CARBINE WITH DETACHABLE STOCK.

SN 206. Cal. .30. 11-3/4″ bbl. Receiver flat marked “Waffenfabrik Mauser Obendorf A/N”, with Crown / U on left flat and SN 206 on adjacent flat. Rich blue finish overall with nitre blue appointments including long narrow extractor, bolt stop, and sight elevator. Early large ring design with wide trigger and early pattern slide detachable stock. Checkered horn buttplate with Mauser Werke crest. Shrouded post type front sight. Smooth walnut forearm with blue steel attaching iron. After detailed disassembly most all parts were found to be matching numbers with exception of safety lever which as been re-numbered at some previous time to match. These early carbines are rarely ever found in any type of condition. CONDITION: Very fine, as completely and thoroughly professionally restored. Bore is bright with slightly worn rifling. Mechanics are fine, and as previously mentioned, most all parts are matching numbers. Blue finish has very slight edge wear at muzzle and leading edge of mag floorplate. Stock attaching screws are slightly fouled and remain patina. Horn buttplate has small repair at toe with no material loss being evident. Stock finish is even and shows evidence of very light sanding at time of refinish. 52700-35 TDW (12,000-17,000) C&R – Lot 2011

SN 26705. Cal. 9mm. 7″ bbl. Blue finish, walnut grips. Very rare Astra Model 900 Semi-Automatic Pistol. Manufactured primarily for export to China, the Astra Model 900 superficially resembled the M 1896 Mauser Pistol. This Model 900 Pistol was manufactured in 1933 and features the same 7″ barrel and 20-round, fixed, magazine as the Model 902 Select-Fire Automatic Pistol. It is complete with holster/stock serial numbered to the pistol, steel cleaning rod with walnut handle and the original factory case. The pistol has a highly polished, rust blue, finish. The rear sight elevator slide, extractor, safety lever, trigger and other small components have a nitre-blue finish. The bolt, hammer, and rear sight are polished bright. The walnut grips are the final pattern with twelve deep grooves on each panel. The tangent rear sight is graduated to 1000 yards. The bottom of the frame is fitted with a lanyard ring. The left side of the frame is marked with the style, three-line “GUERNICA” address. The right side of the frame is stamped with the factory proof mark, year code and automatic pistol proof. Two additional automatic pistol proofs are stamped on the right side of the barrel extension and barrel. SN 26705 is located on the left side of the frame just above the grips. The holster/stock is straight grained walnut and features the distinctive russet leather boot which snaps over the extended, 20-round magazine. The pistol serial number is stamped inside the stock lid. The pistol is complete with a factory wood and cardboard case. The case lid and sides are cardboard with a simulated marble exterior cover and pebbled interior. The cardboard surrounds a wooden frame with three compartments. On the inside of the lid is a blue label that reads: “RIFLE PISTOL ‘ASTRA’ MOD 900/BARREL 7″, 20 Shots/FOR MAUSER cartridges cal. 7.63 m/m” in three lines. The case is complete with a cleaning rod with hardwood handle and 8-inch steel shaft. The great majority of Astra Model 900 series pistols were exported to China and most of the remainder were utilized in the Spanish Civil War. Surviving examples are scarce in any original condition. CONDITION: Extremely fine. All visible numbers matching and mechanics are crisp. The pistol retains at least 98% of the original, high polish, rust-blue finish. Small components have most all of the nitre-blue. All markings are extremely sharp. The bore is pristine. The grips are in excellent plus condition with only very minor wear. the walnut holster stock is in excellent condition, the wood has only minor handling marks and two, very minor, hairline cracks that extend from the latch button to the latch spring screw. The stock hinge and lug have a gray patina finish. The case is in fine condition. The corners of the cardboard lid are broken and the edges and top of the lid have some scuff marks and finish loss. There is some edge wear on the bottom of the case. The leather fasteners are in fine condition. The case interior is excellent as are the lid and label. A finer example would be near impossible to find. 52700-31 TDW (30,000-40,000) C&R – Lot 2012

SN 557542. Cal. .380. 3-7/8″ bbl. With blue finish overall. With Germanic scroll and foliate embellishment equating to virtually full coverage. German eagle / WaA 251, inspection found on right rear of frame. Period 2-pc ivory grips with German droop eagle insignia on both left and right sides of grip panels. A number of these petite Astra pocket models were purchase by Germany and issued amongst the Condor Legion who assisted in keeping Franco in power. CONDITION: Very good overall with virtually half of the blue finish having dulled to a dove gray from use and carry. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. All visible numbers found to be matching. Ivory stocks have pleasant staining and aging that are solid with no evident cracks or material loss. Mechanics are good. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Please read the Conditions of Sale, section 15, for more information regarding the Endangered Species Act, and your responsibilities as a buyer. 52700-16 TDW (5,000-7,500) C&R; ESA – Lot 2013

SN 525085. cal. .380. 3-7/8″ bbl. Exhibition factory engraved in tight scrolls in foliate arabesque with factory silver plate overall. Slide shroud predominately marked Astra inside their commercial monogram. Traditional Spanish proof marks found at left rear of frame and mounted with a pair of commercial Astra monogrammed faux mother-of-pearl grips. Marked under grips (Astra) on bottom right side of frame. Both silver plated mags are marked with the Astra logo on bottom of pull tab. Gun and spare mag are housed in a period German manufactured white stitched brown leather holster with makers mark being indiscernible. This firearm has been identified by SN 585085 as having been shipped to the German Condor Legion procurement, this pistols were randomly taken from standard production and no large block orders are noted. This information is documented on p. 57 by Dr. Leonardo Antaris in the first edition of his book Astra Automatic Pistols. CONDITION: Extremely fine with most all finish remaining with silver plating having attained a very pleasant patina. With no distress or finish loss evident. Astra monogrammed grips are very fine with exception of right grip panel that has a very old but repaired crack emanating from screw hole horizontally forward to muzzle. Spare mag is equally as fine, however, has tarnished considerably more, and probably from the tannic acid of the holster. Holster is excellent with strong white stitching and supple leather, rear flap has loose stitching with no evidence of repair. 52700-36 TDW (3,000-4,000) C&R – Lot 2014

*STEYR HAHN M1911, EXPERIMENTAL FRAME, SN #1.

SN 1. Cal. 8mm Steyr. Very early production Steyr Hahn, the first pistol assembled in 1912, with modified frontstrap. Most features are as per standard production with 5″ bbl, fixed front and rear sight, and usual single line address: “Steyr 1912” followed by “MOD. 1911” and the large “S” at rear. Serial number “1” marked on left side of slide, immediately below on frame, behind the lanyard ring, and on the bbl along with a “K” inspection and an encircled “T”. Matching assembly number “3589” inside slide and on frame in front of hammer recess. An ergonomic extension has been added to the bottom of the frontstrap, the welded interface still evident, with the sides machined, seamlessly blending into the frame. Major components rust blued, now to include the trigger and hammer, likely applied when modifying the frontstrap. Strawed extractor, safety and screws. Checkered walnut grips, no markings on inner surfaces. CONDITION: Bright rust blue, 98+% coverage, with minor oxidation at front of slide/frame and slight discoloration at welded juncture on frontstrap. Comparable condition bbl, small parts and grips. Bright bore with strong rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. A very interesting, early production Steyr with modified frontstrap, probably by factory, serial number 1! 52581-1 (2,500-4,500) C&R – Lot 2015

*FANTASTIC WALTHER ARMEE-PISTOLE IN ORIGINAL CONDITION, TWO MATCHING MAGAZINES.

SN 042. Cal. 9mmp. Walther made a series of about 50 Armee Pistoles, all double action with an internal hammer, for testing prior to the military’s acceptance of the P38. This late production example has a 5″ bbl, drift adjustable front and a “V” notched rear sight. The sides of the slide were made with ridged reinforcement. The left side is marked “Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur)” surmounting the Walther banner and the model denomination “Armee-Pistole Cal. 9m/m”. The slide mounted safety lever, has the fire position denoted by a recessed red dot. The right side of the slide is simply marked “Walthers Patent”. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number 042 in large digits that are repeated on the slide, the bbl, and the locking block. All of these parts, except the locking block, are also stamped with a much smaller inspection number “52”. The pistol has standard wooden AP grips, the left panel having a circular recess for the lanyard ring. It comes with two superbly crafted replacement magazines that are correctly numbered to gun with correct size and font digits. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection of Noted Expert and Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: 97%-98% bright original blue with sharp edge wear around the muzzle and leading edges of the slide. Minor wear under the tang and on the frontstrap. 70% original fire blue on the thumb safety. Excellent original wood grips having sharp checkering and only minimal loss. The inner surface of the left grip is marked with a penciled 042; each grip is inspector stamped 52. Near new replacement magazines. Perfect mirror bore and perfect mechanics. Overall, a superb and all matching Walther AP test pistol whose two replacement magazines are nearly indistinguishable from originals. 52337-1 LMA (27,500-35,000) C&R – Lot 2016

SN 3262. Cal. 7.65mm. Super rare Walther Mod HP in Cal 7.65mm, experimental trigger bar, single action only with target grips in factory correct HP shipping box. Standard configuration P38 with 5″ bbl having drift adjustable front sight and red painted rear sight. Left side of slide marked with the usual Walther banner followed by 2-line address that includes “Cal. 7.65 m/m” and suffixed by “Mod. HP”. Safety detentes marked with a white highlighted “S” and red highlighted “F”. Eagle/N marking on right side of slide, right side of bbl, and right side of locking block. Full SN under bbl, on slide, on right side of frame above trigger guard, with the last three digits repeated on the locking block. Fitted with wood target grips, each internally penciled with a matching “5/3262”, with stippling over the left thumb rest and deeply checkered panels on the left side with separate panels of checkering over the backstrap to extend over the right grip. Left side of Mag marked “P.38”. Major and minor components with original high polish salt blue, locking block in the white, grips with original varnish. When Warren Buxton wrote his P-38 books, he documented a serial range of 3105-3259. This gun obviously expands what is still a very, very narrow range of pistols. In fact, this may be the highest recorded SN for this type of gun. Regardless, according to Buxton, “The P.38 Pistol, Volume I”, pg 156, it is “An extremely rare and very difficult to find variation which generates intense collector interest.” Complete with an orig wood grain shipping box whose lid features gold image of Model HP pistol with “HP” at lower left corner and a Walther banner in the upper right corners. Includes orig cleaning tin, that has orig oil bottle and Walther marked hair swab, in addition to orig cleaning rod. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection of Noted Expert and Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Outstanding with over 98% of salt blue on all components. Slight muzzle wear and a few pinpricks of oxidative wear on front strap. Excellent original mag. Dark grips with 80% original varnish showing small areas of wear, oil staining, handling marks. Mirror bore. Perfect manual mechanics. Crisp box, whose lid presents nicely with minimal separations. Equally high condition cleaning tin and cleaning rod. A fantastically rare P.38, in the correct shipping box, that could be the centerpiece of any collection. 52337-3 LMA (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2017

SN 421317-E4. Cal. 7.65mm. 4″ bbl. Extremely rare/unique Walther PP, clearly an experimental example, whose slide legend is distinctly different from production guns. Of greater importance are the internal differences in the slide, with respect to the firing pin housing, and the operating mechanism that can only be appreciated upon disassembly. The slide is differently contoured compared to standardized production. The left side of the slide is marked with a similar rear sight, the usual 2-line address suffixed by the Walther banner and followed by the notation “E4” internally marked with an “8”. The right side of the slide and right side of frame are proofed Crown/N. Adjacent to the slide proof is the number “3” that upon dis-assembly has been stamped on the inner surface of each grip. On the right side of frame, just behind the trigger, is an electro-penciled “421317/E-4”. The number “4” has been carried forward to mark the left side of the frame under the chamber, the inner surface of the ejector, the inner surface of transfer bar and the lower spine of the mag that has an extended solid metal base seen only on the earliest pistols and prototypes. Wood grips are checkered with a border and recessed to house the experimental mechanism. Included with this unique and desirable pistol is the US Army Capture certificate dated Nov, 22 1945. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess; The Esteemed Collection of Noted Expert and Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Orig 97% bright blue with sharp edge wear and minimal handling marks as expected in a gun made more for manual evaluation than hard field testing. Excellent condition grips, slightly darkened,with some blunted checkering. A thin sliver is missing from the upper leading edge of the right panel. Bright bore with sharp rifling and minor frosting. Perfect manual mechanics. An extremely rare and interesting Walther PP for the most advanced collector. 52337-2 LMA (20,000-30,000) C&R – Lot 2018

*EXHIBITION ENGRAVED AND NICKEL PLATED PRE-WAR WALTHER PP PISTOL.

SN 888185. Cal. .32. 3-3/4″ bbl. Crown / N proofs with 90 degree safety and 2-pc Walther black checkered grips. Engraved in a dramatic acorn and oak leaf motif, with scroll, foliate and dot-punch background. A script S / W is engraved in the pattern on the backstrap. Traditionaly Walther banner with address and Mod. PP on left hand side of slide. The extensive engraving amounts to full coverage. These rare and desirable embellished Walther firearms were engraved by artisans under contract with Walther and typically not done in house. This being done in a time of severe financial constraints and political unrest. These fantastic examples are truly mechanical art whos survival has been extremely limited. CONDITION: Extremely fine with most all plated finish remaining and engraving being exceptional. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Mechanics are crisp. 2-pc Walther grips are as equally fine with no distress. Mag retains virtually all its nickel finish and is engraved on base plate in a matching motif. 52700-28 TDW (10,000-15,000) C&R – Lot 2019

SN 215393P. Cal. 32. 3-7/8″ rnd bbl with eagle N proofs and 60 degree safety. This exhibition engraved and 2-pc ivory stocked Walther pistol should have no rival in its elaborate embellishment with its deep relief, scrolls and foliate engraving with numerous Gothic lions, horned beast and chiseled roping amount to a full coverage of the artist’s work. This pattern of embellishment may be found in James Rankin’s Engraved, Presentation and Standard Models, Vol. II, on pg. 54. Gun is housed in its period green velvet lined form fitted display case with the exterior being of a brown linen type material with three Geco dummy functioning cartridges and wiping rod. CONDITION: Extremely fine, and showing no evidence of actual use. Very slight finish loss is evident on edges of magazine base and at extreme ends of muzzle and backstrap from having been stored in its presentation case. 2-pc ivory grips are equally fine with slight age discoloration, with right grip having evidence of a very minor crack at top forward leading edge. Case is very good with staining evident from firearm residing in case. Linen type material has slight distress and foxing on edges but is otherwise solid. A finer example would be very difficult to ever obtain. 52700-30 TDW (8,000-12,000) C&R – Lot 2020

SN 755507. Cal. 7.65. Standard configuration. Early pre-war production with 90 degree safety and crown over “N” proofs. Nearly full coverage of very fine oak leaf and acorn pattern engraving with gold inlaid oak leaves and acorns at muzzle, mid point, and top rear of slide; also on left side of frame under magazine release, and on front and rear grip straps. SN is gold inlaid on right. Pistol is fitted with ivory grips, nicely engraved and scrimmed in oak leaves and acorns. Supplied are two magazines, one with extended ivory base plug matching grips; the other with large steel base engraved to match remainder of pistol. Pistol is housed in a brown leather French fitted case with forest green velvet lining. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining essentially all of its blued finish. Grips are very fine except for some slight checks at top of left grip below safety. Base plug of extended magazine shows some repairs with slight material loss. Bore is very fine, bright and shiny throughout. Mechanics are fine. Box shows some slight interior wear at edges of fitted mortise. An outstanding example and would be very difficult to improve upon. 52634-4 TDW (7,500-12,500) C&R – Lot 2021

SN 934386. Cal. 9mm Kurtz. 3.85″ bbl. Deep rich factory blue finish with 2-pc Walther banner hard plastic grips. 60 degree safety with crown “N” proofs evident on slide and chamber. Very little is known about the rare Turkish Contract. Similar to the Persian Contract in the fact that it uses a bottom heel magazine release and utilizes its own proprietary magazine with milled follower and no provision for thumb release. Right side of slide is marked with star encompassed by crescent moon of the Republic of Turkey with a “TC” indicating Turkiye Cumhuryet (Turkish Republic) as well as Subaylara mahsunstur (Officer’s pistol). The extreme scarcity of these pistols is due to the fact that these guns were not to be sold after issue to Turkish officers. This example is documented as having been a gift to well-known Walther collector, Lewis Copeland and is documented by a 1962 dated letter to another well-known Walther collector Sid Abramen. Truly the rarest of rare in Walther collectibles. CONDITION: Extremely fine with very slight finish loss at leading edges of muzzle, high points of sights, and very slight thinning of finish on grip straps. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is bright and shiny. Unique proprietary magazine is equally fine. 52700-2 TDW (7,500-10,000) C&R – Lot 2022

*RARE WALTHER PERSIAN CONTRACT MODEL PP CALIBER 9MM WITH HOLSTER.

SN 120059P. Cal. 9mm Kurz. 3.85″ bbl with deep factory blue finish overall. 60 degree safety. All Walther Banner and trademark are found on right side of slide, a feature very unique to the Persian Contracts. Left side of slide has Persian crest with Farsi legend in script. Crown “N” proof is found hidden on left side of chamber adjacent to Persian proof as well as Persian proof being found on interior of slide. Unique bottom heel magazine release with proprietary Walther finger rest magazine with milled follower and no provision for top release with Persian inspection mark at bottom of magazine body. This feature only found on these rare Persian and the ultra-rare Turkish contract Model PP pistols. 2-pc Walther Banner hard plastic grips is accompanied with a period brown stitch Akah Walther commercial pattern flap holster. CONDITION: Fine overall condition with slight finish loss on front and rear straps and typical holster wear on leading edges of slide. Bore is bright and shiny with sharp rifling. Mechanics are crisp. Proprietary heel release magazine is equally fine. Leather holster is fine with leather being supple, stitching intact and solid. 52700-5 TDW (4,000-6,000) C&R – Lot 2023

SN 889230. Cal. 32. 3.3″ bbl. Crown N proofs, 90 degree safety with mottled brown Walther grips. Presentation engraved in foliate scroll with dot punch background with a 3-star covered shield believed to be the crest of the Sonnemann family. This style of engraving was known to be executed for Walther by outside contractors who engraved and embellished Walther firearms as the company themselves did not have factory engravers. This pistol was produced in 1935, which happened to be the same year that Emmy Sonnemann married Hermann Goering. Flat based magazine is blue finished with Walther banner on the left side. Traditional Walther banner, model designation and caliber markings are on left side. CONDITION: Very fine, with most all blue finish remaining with slight discoloration on high points of engraving believed to be from being on display for many years in museum in Branson, Missouri, as has been noted by previous owner. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Mechanics are fine. An outstanding piece of Germanic history associated with with one of the most powerful generals of WWII and his family. 52700-29 TDW (25,000-35,000) C&R – Lot 2024